This division may be cited as the “Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2026”.
Division B — Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2026
DIVISION B Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2026
TITLE I Agricultural Programs
Processing, Research, and Marketing
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary, $46,361,000 of which not to exceed $7,000,000 shall be available for the immediate Office of the Secretary, of which $500,000 shall be for the establishment of a Seafood Industry Liaison; not to exceed $1,700,000 shall be available for the Office of Homeland Security; not to exceed $5,190,000 shall be available for the Office of Tribal Relations, of which $1,000,000 shall be to continue a Tribal Public Health Resource Center at a land grant university with existing indigenous public health expertise to expand current partnerships and collaborative efforts with indigenous groups to improve the delivery of public health services and functions in American Indian communities focusing on indigenous food sovereignty; not to exceed $5,250,000 shall be available for the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, of which $1,500,000 shall be for 7 U.S.C. 2279(c)(5); not to exceed $18,721,000 shall be available for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration, of which $17,015,000 shall be available for Departmental Administration to provide for necessary expenses for management support services to offices of the Department and for general administration, security, repairs and alterations, and other miscellaneous supplies and expenses not otherwise provided for and necessary for the practical and efficient work of the Department: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Administration mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office; not to exceed $3,500,000 shall be available for the Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs to carry out the programs funded by this Act, including programs involving intergovernmental affairs and liaison within the executive branch; and not to exceed $5,000,000 shall be available for the Office of Communications: Provided further, That the Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to transfer funds appropriated for any office of the Office of the Secretary to any other office of the Office of the Secretary: Provided further, That no appropriation for any office shall be increased or decreased by more than 5 percent: Provided further, That not to exceed $22,000 of the amount made available under this paragraph for the immediate Office of the Secretary shall be available for official reception and representation expenses, not otherwise provided for, as determined by the Secretary: Provided further, That the amount made available under this heading for Departmental Administration shall be reimbursed from applicable appropriations in this Act for travel expenses incident to the holding of hearings as required by 5 U.S.C. 551–558: Provided further, That funds made available under this heading for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs shall be transferred to agencies of the Department of Agriculture funded by this Act to maintain personnel at the agency level: Provided further, That no funds made available under this heading for the Office of Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations may be obligated after 30 days from the date of enactment of this Act, unless the Secretary has notified the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the allocation of these funds by USDA agency: Provided further, That during any 30 day notification period referenced in section 716 of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall take no action to begin implementation of the action that is subject to section 716 of this Act or make any public announcement of such action in any form.
Executive Operations
Office of the Chief Information Officer
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Information Officer, $85,000,000, of which not less than $60,032,000 is for cybersecurity requirements of the department.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, $5,867,000.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, $1,466,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Civil Rights mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
Office of Civil Rights
For necessary expenses of the Office of Civil Rights, $30,000,000.
Agriculture Buildings and Facilities
For payment of space rental and related costs pursuant to Public Law 92–313, including authorities pursuant to the 1984 delegation of authority from the Administrator of General Services to the Department of Agriculture under 40 U.S.C. 121, for programs and activities of the Department which are included in this Act, and for alterations and other actions needed for the Department and its agencies to consolidate unneeded space into configurations suitable for release to the Administrator of General Services, and for the operation, maintenance, improvement, and repair of Agriculture buildings and facilities, and for related costs, $15,000,000, to remain available until expended.
Hazardous Materials Management
For necessary expenses of the Department of Agriculture, to comply with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) and the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), $1,619,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That appropriations and funds available herein to the Department for Hazardous Materials Management may be transferred to any agency of the Department for its use in meeting all requirements pursuant to the above Acts on Federal and non-Federal lands.
Office of Safety, Security, and Protection
For necessary expenses of the Office of Safety, Security, and Protection, $24,000,000.
Office of Inspector General
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, including employment pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–452; 5 U.S.C. App.), $103,000,000, including such sums as may be necessary for contracting and other arrangements with public agencies and private persons pursuant to section 6(a)(9) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–452; 5 U.S.C. App.), and including not to exceed $125,000 for certain confidential operational expenses, including the payment of informants, to be expended under the direction of the Inspector General pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978 (Public Law 95–452; 5 U.S.C. App.) and section 1337 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (Public Law 97–98).
Office of the General Counsel
For necessary expenses of the Office of the General Counsel, $60,537,000.
Office of Ethics
For necessary expenses of the Office of Ethics, $4,500,000.
Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, $1,884,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Research, Education, and Economics mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office: Provided further, That of the amounts made available under this heading, $500,000 shall be made available for the Office of the Chief Scientist.
Economic Research Service
For necessary expenses of the Economic Research Service, $90,612,000.
National Agricultural Statistics Service
For necessary expenses of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, $185,000,000, of which up to $46,000,000 shall be available until expended for the Census of Agriculture: Provided, That amounts made available for the Census of Agriculture may be used to conduct Current Industrial Report surveys subject to 7 U.S.C. 2204g(d) and (f): Provided further, That the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress in writing at least 30 days prior to discontinuing data collection programs and reports.
Agricultural Research Service
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, $1,617,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Marketing and Regulatory Programs mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Agricultural Marketing Service
Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, $1,117,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Food Safety mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
For necessary expenses to carry out services authorized by the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act, including not to exceed $10,000 for representation allowances and for expenses pursuant to section 8 of the Act approved August 3, 1956 (7 U.S.C. 1766), $1,215,200,000; and in addition, $1,000,000 may be credited to this account from fees collected for the cost of laboratory accreditation as authorized by section 1327 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 138f): Provided, That funds provided for the Public Health Data Communication Infrastructure system shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That no fewer than 148 full-time equivalent positions shall be employed during fiscal year 2026 for purposes dedicated solely to inspections and enforcement related to the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (7 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.): Provided further, That the Food Safety and Inspection Service shall continue implementation of section 11016 of Public Law 110–246 as further clarified by the amendments made in section 12106 of Public Law 113–79: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be available pursuant to law (7 U.S.C. 2250) for the alteration and repair of buildings and improvements, but the cost of altering any one building during the fiscal year shall not exceed 10 percent of the current replacement value of the building.
TITLE II Farm Production and Conservation Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, $1,527,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Farm Production and Conservation mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
Farm Production and Conservation Business Center
Farm Service Agency
Risk Management Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Corporations
The following corporations and agencies are hereby authorized to make expenditures, within the limits of funds and borrowing authority available to each such corporation or agency and in accord with law, and to make contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as provided by section 104 of the Government Corporation Control Act as may be necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in the budget for the current fiscal year for such corporation or agency, except as hereinafter provided.
TITLE III Rural Development Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development, $1,620,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Rural Development mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
Rural Development
Rural Housing Service
Rural Business—Cooperative Service
Rural Utilities Service
TITLE IV Domestic Food Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, $1,127,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to an agency in the Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
Food and Nutrition Service
TITLE V Foreign Assistance and Related Programs
Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
For necessary expenses of the Office of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, $932,000: Provided, That funds made available by this Act to any agency in the Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs mission area for salaries and expenses are available to fund up to one administrative support staff for the Office.
Foreign Agricultural Service
TITLE VI Related Agency and Food and Drug Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
Independent Agency
TITLE VII General Provisions
Sec. 701.
The Secretary may use any appropriations made available to the Department of Agriculture in this Act to purchase new passenger motor vehicles, in addition to specific appropriations for this purpose, so long as the total number of vehicles purchased in fiscal year 2026 does not exceed the number of vehicles owned or leased in fiscal year 2018: Provided, That, prior to purchasing additional motor vehicles, the Secretary must determine that such vehicles are necessary for transportation safety, to reduce operational costs, and for the protection of life, property, and public safety: Provided further, That the Secretary may not increase the Department of Agriculture’s fleet above the 2018 level unless the Secretary notifies in writing, and receives approval from, the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 30 days of the notification.
Sec. 702.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may transfer unobligated balances of discretionary funds appropriated by this Act or any other available unobligated discretionary balances that are remaining available of the Department of Agriculture to the Working Capital Fund for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment and for the improvement, delivery, and implementation of Department financial, and administrative information technology services, and other support systems necessary for the delivery of financial, administrative, and information technology services, including cloud adoption and migration, of primary benefit to the agencies of the Department of Agriculture, such transferred funds to remain available until expended: Provided, That none of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act shall be transferred to the Working Capital Fund without the prior approval of the agency administrator: Provided further, That none of the funds transferred to the Working Capital Fund pursuant to this section shall be available for obligation without written notification to and the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated by this Act or made available to the Department’s Working Capital Fund shall be available for obligation or expenditure to make any changes to the Department’s National Finance Center without written notification to and prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress as required by section 716 of this Act: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated by this Act or made available to the Department’s Working Capital Fund shall be available for obligation or expenditure to initiate, plan, develop, implement, or make any changes to remove or relocate any systems, missions, personnel, or functions of the offices of the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Information Officer, co-located with or from the National Finance Center prior to written notification to and prior approval of the Committee on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress and in accordance with the requirements of section 716 of this Act: Provided further, That the National Finance Center Information Technology Services Division personnel and data center management responsibilities, and control of any functions, missions, and systems for current and future human resources management and integrated personnel and payroll systems (PPS) and functions provided by the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Information Officer shall remain in the National Finance Center and under the management responsibility and administrative control of the National Finance Center: Provided further, That the Secretary of Agriculture and the offices of the Chief Financial Officer shall actively market to existing and new Departments and other government agencies National Finance Center shared services including, but not limited to, payroll, financial management, and human capital shared services and allow the National Finance Center to perform technology upgrades: Provided further, That of annual income amounts in the Working Capital Fund of the Department of Agriculture allocated for the National Finance Center, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 4 percent for the replacement or acquisition of capital equipment, including equipment for the improvement, delivery, and implementation of financial, administrative, and information technology services, and other systems of the National Finance Center or to pay any unforeseen, extraordinary cost of the National Finance Center: Provided further, That none of the amounts reserved shall be available for obligation unless the Secretary submits written notification of the obligation to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That the limitations on the obligation of funds pending notification to Congressional Committees shall not apply to any obligation that, as determined by the Secretary, is necessary to respond to a declared state of emergency that significantly impacts the operations of the National Finance Center; or to evacuate employees of the National Finance Center to a safe haven to continue operations of the National Finance Center.
Sec. 703.
No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
Sec. 704.
No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to pay negotiated indirect cost rates on cooperative agreements or similar arrangements between the United States Department of Agriculture and nonprofit institutions in excess of 10 percent of the total direct cost of the agreement when the purpose of such cooperative arrangements is to carry out programs of mutual interest between the two parties. This does not preclude appropriate payment of indirect costs on grants and contracts with such institutions when such indirect costs are computed on a similar basis for all agencies for which appropriations are provided in this Act.
Sec. 705.
Appropriations to the Department of Agriculture for the cost of direct and guaranteed loans made available in the current fiscal year shall remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year for the following accounts: The Rural Development Loan Fund program account, the Rural Electrification and Telecommunication Loans program account, and the Rural Housing Insurance Fund program account.
Sec. 706.
None of the funds made available to the Department of Agriculture by this Act may be used to acquire new information technology systems or significant upgrades, as determined by the Office of the Chief Information Officer, without the approval of the Chief Information Officer and the concurrence of the Executive Information Technology Investment Review Board: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be transferred to the Office of the Chief Information Officer without written notification to and the prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided further, That notwithstanding section 11319 of title 40, United States Code, none of the funds available to the Department of Agriculture for information technology shall be obligated for projects, contracts, or other agreements over $25,000 prior to receipt of written approval by the Chief Information Officer: Provided further, That the Chief Information Officer may authorize an agency to obligate funds without written approval from the Chief Information Officer for projects, contracts, or other agreements up to $250,000 based upon the performance of an agency measured against the performance plan requirements described in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 113–235.
Sec. 707.
Funds made available under section 524(b) of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1524(b)) in the current fiscal year shall remain available until expended to disburse obligations made in the current fiscal year.
Sec. 708.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any former Rural Utilities Service borrower that has repaid or prepaid an insured, direct or guaranteed loan under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, or any not-for-profit utility that is eligible to receive an insured or direct loan under such Act, shall be eligible for assistance under section 313B(a) of such Act in the same manner as a borrower under such Act.
Sec. 709.
Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, not more than $20,000,000 in unobligated balances from appropriations made available for salaries and expenses in this Act for the Farm Service Agency shall remain available through September 30, 2027, for information technology expenses.
Sec. 710.
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for first-class travel by the employees of agencies funded by this Act in contravention of sections 301–10.122 through 301–10.124 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations.
Sec. 711.
In the case of each program established or amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79) or by a successor to that Act, other than by title I or subtitle A of title III of such Act, or programs for which indefinite amounts were provided in that Act, that is authorized or required to be carried out using funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation—
such funds shall be available for salaries and related administrative expenses, including technical assistance, associated with the implementation of the program, without regard to the limitation on the total amount of allotments and fund transfers contained in section 11 of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714i); and
the use of such funds for such purpose shall not be considered to be a fund transfer or allotment for purposes of applying the limitation on the total amount of allotments and fund transfers contained in such section.
Sec. 712.
Of the funds made available by this Act, not more than $2,900,000 shall be used to cover necessary expenses of activities related to all advisory committees, panels, commissions, and task forces of the Department of Agriculture, except for panels used to comply with negotiated rule makings and panels used to evaluate competitively awarded grants.
Sec. 713.
None of the funds made available in this Act may be used to maintain or establish a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography.
Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities.
Sec. 714.
Notwithstanding subsection (b) of section 14222 of Public Law 110–246 (7 U.S.C. 612c–6; in this section referred to as “section 14222”), none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel to carry out a program under section 32 of the Act of August 24, 1935 (7 U.S.C. 612c; in this section referred to as “section 32”) in excess of $1,716,293,000 (exclusive of carryover appropriations from prior fiscal years), as follows: Child Nutrition Programs Entitlement Commodities—$485,000,000; State Option Contracts—$5,000,000; Removal of Defective Commodities—$2,500,000; Administration of section 32 Commodity Purchases—$40,971,000: Provided, That, of the total funds made available in the matter preceding this proviso that remain unobligated on October 1, 2026, such unobligated balances shall carryover into fiscal year 2027 and shall remain available until expended for any of the purposes of section 32, except that any such carryover funds used in accordance with clause (3) of section 32 may not exceed $350,000,000 and may not be obligated until the Secretary of Agriculture provides written notification of the expenditures to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least two weeks in advance: Provided further, That, with the exception of any available carryover funds authorized in any prior appropriations Act to be used for the purposes of clause (3) of section 32, none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries or expenses of any employee of the Department of Agriculture to carry out clause (3) of section 32.
Sec. 715.
None of the funds appropriated by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and expenses of personnel who prepare or submit appropriations language as part of the President’s budget submission to the Congress for programs under the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies that assumes revenues or reflects a reduction from the previous year due to user fees proposals that have not been enacted into law prior to the submission of the budget unless such budget submission identifies which additional spending reductions should occur in the event the user fees proposals are not enacted prior to the date of the convening of a committee of conference for the fiscal year 2026 appropriations Act.
Sec. 716.
None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by previous appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in the current fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a reprogramming, transfer of funds, or reimbursements as authorized by the Economy Act, or in the case of the Department of Agriculture, through use of the authority provided by section 702(b) of the Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1944 (7 U.S.C. 2257) or section 8 of Public Law 89–106 (7 U.S.C. 2263), that—
creates new programs;
eliminates a program, project, or activity;
increases funds or personnel by any means for any project or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted;
relocates an office or employees;
reorganizes offices, programs, or activities; or
contracts out or privatizes any functions or activities presently performed by Federal employees;
unless the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Health and Human Services (as the case may be) notifies in writing and receives approval from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days in advance of the reprogramming of such funds or the use of such authority.
None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in the current fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for obligation or expenditure for activities, programs, or projects through a reprogramming or use of the authorities referred to in subsection (a) involving funds in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, that—
augments existing programs, projects, or activities;
reduces by 10 percent funding for any existing program, project, or activity, or numbers of personnel by 10 percent as approved by Congress; or
results from any general savings from a reduction in personnel which would result in a change in existing programs, activities, or projects as approved by Congress;
unless the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Health and Human Services (as the case may be) notifies in writing and receives approval from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days in advance of the reprogramming or transfer of such funds or the use of such authority.
The Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall notify in writing and receive approval from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress before implementing any program or activity not carried out during the previous fiscal year unless the program or activity is funded by this Act or specifically funded by any other Act.
None of the funds provided by this Act, or provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the agencies funded by this Act that remain available for obligation or expenditure in the current fiscal year, or provided from any accounts in the Treasury derived by the collection of fees available to the agencies funded by this Act, shall be available for—
modifying major capital investments funding levels, including information technology systems, that involves increasing or decreasing funds in the current fiscal year for the individual investment in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent of the total cost, whichever is less;
realigning or reorganizing new, current, or vacant positions or agency activities or functions to establish a center, office, branch, or similar entity with five or more personnel; or
carrying out activities or functions that were not described in the budget request;
unless the agencies funded by this Act notify, in writing, the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 30 days in advance of using the funds for these purposes.
As described in this section, no funds may be used for any activities unless the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of Health and Human Services receives from the Committee on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress written or electronic mail confirmation of receipt of the notification as required in this section.
Sec. 717.
Notwithstanding section 310B(g)(5) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(g)(5)), the Secretary may assess a one-time fee for any guaranteed business and industry loan in an amount that does not exceed 3 percent of the guaranteed principal portion of the loan.
Sec. 718.
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, or the Farm Credit Administration shall be used to transmit or otherwise make available reports, questions, or responses to questions that are a result of information requested for the appropriations hearing process to any non-Department of Agriculture, non-Department of Health and Human Services, or non-Farm Credit Administration employee.
Sec. 719.
Unless otherwise authorized by existing law, none of the funds provided in this Act, may be used by an executive branch agency to produce any prepackaged news story intended for broadcast or distribution in the United States unless the story includes a clear notification within the text or audio of the prepackaged news story that the prepackaged news story was prepared or funded by that executive branch agency.
Sec. 720.
No employee of the Department of Agriculture may be detailed or assigned from an agency or office funded by this Act or any other Act to any other agency or office of the Department for more than 60 days in a fiscal year unless the individual’s employing agency or office is fully reimbursed by the receiving agency or office for the salary and expenses of the employee for the period of assignment.
Sec. 721.
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and the Chairman of the Farm Credit Administration shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a detailed obligation plan delineated by program, project, and activity, as defined in the report accompanying this Act, for all amounts made available by this Act and prior appropriations Acts that remain available for obligation, including appropriated user fees and loan authorizations: Provided, That such obligation plan shall include breakdowns of estimated obligations for each such program, project, or activity by fiscal quarter, source appropriation, and the number of full-time equivalent positions supported: Provided further, That such obligation plan shall serve as the baseline for reprogramming notifications for the purposes of section 716 of this Act.
Sec. 722.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to propose, promulgate, or implement any rule, or take any other action with respect to, allowing or requiring information intended for a prescribing health care professional, in the case of a drug or biological product subject to section 503(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 353(b)(1)), to be distributed to such professional electronically (in lieu of in paper form) unless and until a Federal law is enacted to allow or require such distribution.
Sec. 723.
For the purposes of determining eligibility or level of program assistance for Rural Housing Service programs the Secretary shall not include incarcerated prison populations.
Sec. 724.
For loans and loan guarantees that do not require budget authority and for which the program level has been established in this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture may increase the program level for such loans and loan guarantees by not more than 25 percent: Provided, That prior to the Secretary implementing such an increase, the Secretary notifies, in writing, the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at least 15 days in advance.
Sec. 725.
None of the credit card refunds or rebates transferred to the Working Capital Fund pursuant to section 729 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 (7 U.S.C. 2235a; Public Law 107–76) shall be available for obligation without written notification to, and the prior approval of, the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided, That the refunds or rebates so transferred shall be available for obligation only for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment, including equipment for the improvement, delivery, and implementation of Departmental financial management, information technology, and other support systems necessary for the delivery of financial, administrative, and information technology services, including cloud adoption and migration, of primary benefit to the agencies of the Department of Agriculture.
Sec. 726.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to implement, administer, or enforce the “variety” requirements of the final rule entitled “Enhancing Retailer Standards in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)” published by the Department of Agriculture in the Federal Register on December 15, 2016 (81 Fed. Reg. 90675) until the Secretary of Agriculture amends the definition of the term “variety” as defined in section 278.1(b)(1)(ii)(C) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, and “variety” as applied in the definition of the term “staple food” as defined in section 271.2 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, to increase the number of items that qualify as acceptable varieties in each staple food category so that the total number of such items in each staple food category exceeds the number of such items in each staple food category included in the final rule as published on December 15, 2016: Provided, That until the Secretary promulgates such regulatory amendments, the Secretary shall apply the requirements regarding acceptable varieties and breadth of stock to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program retailers that were in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79).
Sec. 727.
In carrying out subsection (h) of section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472), the Secretary of Agriculture shall have the same authority with respect to loans guaranteed under such section and eligible lenders for such loans as the Secretary has under subsections (h) and (j) of section 538 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1490p–2) with respect to loans guaranteed under such section 538 and eligible lenders for such loans.
Sec. 728.
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act shall be available for the United States Department of Agriculture to propose, finalize or implement any regulation that would promulgate new user fees pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 9701 after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Sec. 729.
Notwithstanding any provision of law that regulates the calculation and payment of overtime and holiday pay for FSIS inspectors, the Secretary may charge establishments subject to the inspection requirements of the Poultry Products Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 451 et seq., the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 601 et seq., and the Egg Products Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 1031 et seq., for the cost of inspection services provided outside of an establishment’s approved inspection shifts, and for inspection services provided on Federal holidays: Provided, That any sums charged pursuant to this paragraph shall be deemed as overtime pay or holiday pay under section 1001(d) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2, 135 Stat. 242): Provided further, That sums received by the Secretary under this paragraph shall, in addition to other available funds, remain available until expended to the Secretary without further appropriation for the purpose of funding all costs associated with FSIS inspections.
Sec. 730.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall—
conduct audits in a manner that evaluates the following factors in the country or region being audited, as applicable—
veterinary control and oversight;
disease history and vaccination practices;
livestock demographics and traceability;
epidemiological separation from potential sources of infection;
surveillance practices;
diagnostic laboratory capabilities; and
emergency preparedness and response; and
promptly make publicly available the final reports of any audits or reviews conducted pursuant to paragraph (1).
This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under its international trade agreements.
Sec. 731.
No Federal funds made available for this fiscal year for the rural water, waste water, waste disposal, and solid waste management programs authorized by sections 306, 306A, 306C, 306D, 306E, and 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1926 et seq.) shall be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public water or wastewater system unless all of the iron and steel products used in the project are produced in the United States.
In this section, the term “iron and steel products” means the following products made primarily of iron or steel: lined or unlined pipes and fittings, manhole covers and other municipal castings, hydrants, tanks, flanges, pipe clamps and restraints, valves, structural steel, reinforced precast concrete, and construction materials.
Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case or category of cases in which the Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) or the designee of the Secretary finds that—
applying subsection (a) would be inconsistent with the public interest;
iron and steel products are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities or of a satisfactory quality; or
inclusion of iron and steel products produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25 percent.
If the Secretary or the designee receives a request for a waiver under this section, the Secretary or the designee shall make available to the public on an informal basis a copy of the request and information available to the Secretary or the designee concerning the request, and shall allow for informal public input on the request for at least 15 days prior to making a finding based on the request. The Secretary or the designee shall make the request and accompanying information available by electronic means, including on the official public Internet Web site of the Department.
This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements.
The Secretary may retain up to 0.25 percent of the funds appropriated in this Act for “Rural Utilities Service—Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account” for carrying out the provisions described in subsection (a)(1) for management and oversight of the requirements of this section.
Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to a project for which the engineering plans and specifications include use of iron and steel products otherwise prohibited by such subsection if the plans and specifications have received required approvals from State agencies prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
For purposes of this section, the terms “United States” and “State” shall include each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each Federally recognized Indian Tribe.
Sec. 732.
None of the funds appropriated by this Act may be used in any way, directly or indirectly, to influence congressional action on any legislation or appropriation matters pending before Congress, other than to communicate to Members of Congress as described in 18 U.S.C. 1913.
Sec. 733.
Of the total amounts made available by this Act for direct loans and grants under the following headings: “Rural Housing Service—Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account”; “Rural Housing Service—Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants”; “Rural Housing Service—Rural Housing Assistance Grants”; “Rural Housing Service—Rural Community Facilities Program Account”; “Rural Business—Cooperative Service—Rural Business Program Account”; “Rural Business—Cooperative Service—Rural Economic Development Loans Program Account”; “Rural Business—Cooperative Service—Rural Cooperative Development Grants”; “Rural Business—Cooperative Service—Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program”; “Rural Utilities Service—Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account”; “Rural Utilities Service—Rural Electrification and Telecommunications Loans Program Account”; and “Rural Utilities Service—Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program”, to the maximum extent feasible, at least 10 percent of the funds shall be allocated for assistance in persistent poverty counties under this section, including, notwithstanding any other provision regarding population limits, any county seat of such a persistent poverty county that has a population that does not exceed the authorized population limit by more than 10 percent: Provided, That for purposes of this section, the term “persistent poverty counties” means any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses, and 2007–2011 American Community Survey 5-year average, or any territory or possession of the United States: Provided further, That with respect to specific activities for which program levels have been made available by this Act that are not supported by budget authority, the requirements of this section shall be applied to such program level.
Sec. 734.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to notify a sponsor or otherwise acknowledge receipt of a submission for an exemption for investigational use of a drug or biological product under section 505(i) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355(i)) or section 351(a)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262(a)(3)) in research in which a human embryo is intentionally created or modified to include a heritable genetic modification. Any such submission shall be deemed to have not been received by the Secretary, and the exemption may not go into effect.
Sec. 735.
None of the funds made available by this or any other Act may be used to enforce the final rule promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration entitled “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption”, and published on November 27, 2015, and the proposed rule issued by the Food and Drug Administration pending at the Office of Management and Budget entitled “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding Produce for Human Consumption Related to Agricultural Water” (86 Fed. Reg. 69120 and 87 Fed. Reg. 42973), with respect to the regulation of entities that grow, harvest, pack, or hold wine grapes, hops, pulse crops, or almonds.
Sec. 736.
For school years 2025–2026 and 2026–2027, none of the funds made available by this Act may be used to restrict or limit the substitution of any vegetable subgroup for fruits under the school breakfast program established under section 4 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1773).
Sec. 737.
None of the funds made available by this Act or any other Act may be used—
in contravention of section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 5940), subtitle G of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, or section 10114 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; or
to prohibit the transportation, processing, sale, or use of hemp, or seeds of such plant, that is grown or cultivated in accordance with section 7606 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 or subtitle G of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946, within or outside the State in which the hemp is grown or cultivated.
Sec. 738.
The Secretary of Agriculture may waive the matching funds requirement under section 412(g) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7632(g)).
Sec. 739.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall be included as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) on a case by case basis pursuant to the authorities in section 721(k)(2)(J) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565(k)(2)(J)) with respect to each covered transaction (as defined in section 721(a)(4) of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565(a)(4))) involving agricultural land, agriculture biotechnology, or the agriculture industry (including agricultural transportation, agricultural storage, and agricultural processing), as determined by the CFIUS Chairperson in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture. The Secretary of Agriculture shall, to the maximum extent practicable, notify CFIUS of any agricultural land transaction that the Secretary of Agriculture has reason to believe, based on information from or in cooperation with the Intelligence Community, is a covered transaction (A) that may pose a risk to the national security of the United States, with particular emphasis on covered transactions of an interest in agricultural land by foreign governments or entities of concern, as defined in 42 U.S.C. 19221(a), including the People’s Republic of China, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the Islamic Republic of Iran; and (B) with respect to which a person is required to submit a report to the Secretary of Agriculture under section 2(a) of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (7 U.S.C. 3501(a)).
Sec. 740.
There is hereby appropriated $2,000,000, to remain available until expended, for a pilot program for the Secretary to provide grants to qualified non-profit organizations and public housing authorities to provide technical assistance, including financial and legal services, to RHS multi-family housing borrowers to facilitate property preservation through the acquisition of RHS multi-family housing properties in areas where the Secretary determines a risk of loss of affordable housing, by non-profit housing organizations and public housing authorities as authorized by law that commit to keep such properties in the RHS multi-family housing program for a period of time as determined by the Secretary: Provided, That such funds may also be used for technical assistance for non-profit organizations, public housing authorities, and private owners for the decoupling of rental assistance.
Sec. 741.
Funds made available under title II of the Food for Peace Act (7 U.S.C. 1721 et seq.) may only be used to provide assistance to recipient nations if adequate monitoring and controls, as determined by the Administrator, are in place to ensure that emergency food aid is received by the intended beneficiaries in areas affected by food shortages and not diverted for unauthorized or inappropriate purposes.
Sec. 742.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to procure raw or processed poultry products or seafood imported into the United States from the People’s Republic of China for use in the school lunch program under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), the Child and Adult Care Food Program under section 17 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1766), the Summer Food Service Program for Children under section 13 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1761), or the school breakfast program under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1771 et seq.).
Sec. 743.
For school year 2026–2027, only a school food authority that had a negative balance in the nonprofit school food service account as of June 30, 2025, shall be required to establish a price for paid lunches in accordance with section 12(p) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1760(p)).
Sec. 744.
Any funds made available by this or any other Act that the Secretary withholds pursuant to section 1668(g)(2) of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5921(g)(2)), as amended, shall be available for grants for biotechnology risk assessment research: Provided, That the Secretary may transfer such funds among appropriations of the Department of Agriculture for purposes of making such grants.
Sec. 745.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no funds available to the Department of Agriculture may be used to move any staff office or any agency from the mission area in which it was located on August 1, 2018, to any other mission area or office within the Department in the absence of the enactment of specific legislation affirming such move.
Sec. 746.
The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, may use funds appropriated under this Act or any other Act for the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program and the Watershed Rehabilitation Program carried out pursuant to the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), and for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program carried out pursuant to section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) to provide technical services for such programs pursuant to section 1252(a)(1) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3851(a)(1)), notwithstanding subsection (c) of such section.
Sec. 747.
In administering the pilot program established by section 779 of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141), the Secretary of Agriculture may, for purposes of determining entities eligible to receive assistance, consider those communities which are “Areas Rural in Character”: Provided, That not more than 10 percent of the funds made available under the heading “Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program” for the purposes of the pilot program established by section 779 of Public Law 115–141 may be used for this purpose.
Sec. 748.
In addition to amounts otherwise made available by this Act and notwithstanding the last sentence of 16 U.S.C. 1310, there is appropriated $2,000,000, to remain available until expended, to implement non-renewable agreements on eligible lands, including flooded agricultural lands, as determined by the Secretary, under the Water Bank Act (16 U.S.C. 1301–1311).
Sec. 749.
A bank referenced in 12 U.S.C. 2128 may make and participate in loans and commitments and provide technical and other financial assistance to cooperatives and any other public or private entity (except for the Federal Government) for the purpose of installing, maintaining, expanding, improving, or operating facilities in a rural area as defined in 12 U.S.C. 2128(f) for the processing or disposal of waste from any source, provision of telecommunication services, and producing electricity from any source for use or sale by the borrower.
Sec. 750.
The Secretary shall set aside for Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) Zones, until August 15, 2026, an amount of funds made available in title III under the headings of Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account, Mutual and Self-Help Housing Grants, Rural Housing Assistance Grants, Rural Community Facilities Program Account, Rural Business Program Account, Rural Development Loan Fund Program Account, and Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program Account, equal to the amount obligated in REAP Zones with respect to funds provided under such headings in the most recent fiscal year any such funds were obligated under such headings for REAP Zones, excluding the funding provided through any Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending.
Sec. 751.
There is hereby appropriated $2,000,000, to remain available until expended, to carry out section 758 of division B of Public Law 118–42, in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purpose.
Sec. 752.
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue or promote any new guidelines or regulations applicable to food manufacturers of low risk ready-to-eat (RTE) foods for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) until the FDA considers the available new science in developing the Compliance Policy Guide (CPG), Guidance for FDA Staff, section 555.320 Listeria monocytogenes regarding Lm in low-risk foods, meaning foods that do not support the growth of Lm.
Sec. 753.
For necessary expenses associated with cotton classing activities pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 55, to include equipment and facility upgrades, and in addition to any other funds made available for this purpose, there is appropriated, $4,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2027: Provided, That amounts made available in this section shall be treated as funds collected by fees authorized under March 4, 1923, ch. 288, section 5, 42 Stat. 1518, as amended (7 U.S.C. 55).
Sec. 754.
For an additional amount for the Office of the Secretary, $700,000, for the Office of Tribal Relations to cover costs incurred for the slaughtering, processing, and voluntary meat inspection fees, notwithstanding the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1622 et seq.) and 9 CFR part 352, for bison owned by Tribal governments (as defined by the List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131)), Tribal entities (including Tribal organizations and corporations), and Tribal members that slaughter and process bison at establishments that receive USDA voluntary inspection or state inspection.
Sec. 755.
If services performed by APHIS employees are determined by the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to be in response to an animal disease or plant health emergency outbreak, any premium pay that is funded, either directly or through reimbursement, shall be exempted from the aggregate of basic pay and premium pay calculated under section 5547(b)(1) and (2) of title 5, United States Code, and any other provision of law limiting the aggregate amount of premium pay payable on a biweekly or calendar year basis.
Sec. 756.
None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel—
to inspect horses under section 3 of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 603);
to inspect horses under section 903 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (7 U.S.C. 1901 note; Public Law 104–127); or
to implement or enforce section 352.19 of title 9, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
Sec. 757.
There is hereby appropriated $2,000,000, to remain available until expended, to carry out section 2103 of Public Law 115–334: Provided, That the Secretary shall prioritize the wetland compliance needs of areas with significant numbers of individual wetlands, wetland acres, and conservation compliance requests.
Sec. 758.
There is appropriated $3,000,000 for the emergency and transitional pet shelter and housing assistance grant program established under section 12502(b) of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (34 U.S.C. 20127).
Sec. 759.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) were tasked with providing findings and recommendations on alcohol consumption for the purposes of inclusion in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as required by section 772 of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117–328): Provided, That the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Agriculture shall only consider the findings and recommendations of the NASEM report in the development of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and further, both Secretaries shall ensure that the alcohol consumption recommendations in the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans shall be based on the preponderance of scientific and medical knowledge consistent with section 5341 of title 7 of United States Code.
Sec. 760.
Section 313B(a) of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 (7 U.S.C. 940c–2(a)), shall be applied for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter until the specified funding has been expended as if the following were inserted after the final period: “In addition, the Secretary shall use $9,465,000 of the funds available to carry out this section in fiscal year 2024 for an additional amount for the same purpose and under the same terms and conditions as the Rural Business Development Grants authorized by section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)) and shall use $9,953,000 of the funds available to carry out this section in fiscal year 2026 for an additional amount for the same purpose and under the same terms and conditions as the Rural Business Development Grants authorized by section 310B of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1932(c)).”.
Section 780 of division B of Public Law 118–42 and such section as continued in effect as an authority and condition under section 1101(a)(1) of Public Law 119–4 shall no longer apply.
Sec. 761.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the acceptable market name of any engineered animal approved prior to the effective date of the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (February 19, 2019) shall include the words “genetically engineered” prior to the existing acceptable market name.
Sec. 762.
For an additional amount for the Office of the Secretary, $5,250,000, to remain available until expended, to continue the Institute for Rural Partnerships as established in section 778 of Public Law 117–103: Provided, That the Institute for Rural Partnerships shall continue to dedicate resources to researching the causes and conditions of challenges facing rural areas, and develop community partnerships to address such challenges: Provided further, That administrative or other fees shall not exceed one percent: Provided further, That such partnership shall coordinate and publish an annual report.
Sec. 763.
There is hereby appropriated $500,000 to carry out the duties of the working group established under section 770 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (Public Law 116–6; 133 Stat. 89).
Sec. 764.
The agencies and offices of the Department of Agriculture may reimburse the Office of the General Counsel (OGC), out of the funds provided in this Act, for costs incurred by OGC in providing services to such agencies or offices under time-limited agreements entered into with such agencies and offices: Provided, That such transfer authority is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by law.
Sec. 765.
Section 363 of the Multifamily Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1981 (12 U.S.C. 3702) is amended at paragraph (2)—
in subparagraph (D), by striking “ and”;
in subparagraph (E), by striking the period at the end and inserting “ ; and”; and
by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:
“(F) section 514 or 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484, 1485).”
Sec. 766.
The last proviso in the second paragraph under the heading “Rural Community Facilities Program Account” in division B of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118–42) shall be amended to read as follows: “Provided further, That in addition to any other available funds, the Secretary may expend not more than $1,000,000 total, from the program funds made available under this heading, for administrative expenses for activities funded under this heading and in section 778(1).”.
Sec. 767.
Of the unobligated balances from prior year appropriations made available for conservation activities under the heading “Natural Resources Conservation Service—Conservation Operations”, $30,000,000 are hereby rescinded: Provided, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 768.
Of the unobligated balances from prior year appropriations made available for the “National Institute of Food and Agriculture—Research and Education Activities”, $22,000,000 are hereby rescinded: Provided, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 769.
Of the unobligated balances from prior year appropriations made available under the heading “Distance Learning, Telemedicine, and Broadband Program” for the cost to continue a broadband loan and grant pilot program established by section 779 of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115–141) under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (7 U.S.C. 901 et seq.), $20,000,000 are hereby rescinded: Provided, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 770.
Of the unobligated balances from prior year appropriations made available in the “Working Capital Fund”, $78,000,000 are hereby permanently rescinded: Provided, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts that were designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
Sec. 771.
None of the funds made available to the Department of Agriculture in this or any other Act may be used to close or consolidate the resources or locations of any existing Agricultural Research Service laboratories and facilities without prior notification and approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 772.
Of the amounts made available in this Act under the heading “Department of Health and Human Services—Food and Drug Administration—Salaries and Expenses” that are derived from tobacco product user fees authorized by 21 U.S.C. 387s, not less than $200,000,000 shall be used by the Commissioner of Food and Drugs for enforcement activities related to e-cigarettes, vapes, and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (in this section referred to as “ENDS”), including activities under section 801(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381(a)): Provided, That not less than $2,000,000 of such amount shall be used to continue the activities of the Federal multi-agency task force led by the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the FDA to further work to bring all available criminal and civil tools to bear against the illegal manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of e-cigarettes, vapes, and other ENDS products from the Republic of China and other foreign countries.
Not later than 365 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall update the FDA document titled “Enforcement Priorities for Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Other Deemed Products on the Market Without Premarket Authorization”, published in January 2020 and updated in April 2020, to expand FDA’s prioritized enforcement to flavored disposable ENDS products in addition to cartridge-based products and to define the term “disposable ENDS product.”
The Commissioner of Food and Drugs shall submit a semi-annual written report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the progress that the Center for Tobacco Products is making in removing all illegal ENDS products from the market: Provided, That the initial report shall be submitted not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Section 801(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381(a)) is amended by striking “ drug or device” each place it appears in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth sentences and inserting “ drug, device, or tobacco product”.
Within 180 days the FDA shall submit a report to the Committee of Appropriations of both Houses of Congress detailing the Agency’s activities to educate retailers in determining which products are legal for sale.
Sec. 773.
Fees derived from amounts assessed and collected for fiscal year 2026, credited under the heading “Department of Health and Human Services—Food and Drug Administration—Salaries and Expenses”, and made available for expenditure under such heading must comply with each provision contained in current user fee authorizations, appropriations Acts, and commitment letters, as transmitted from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives regarding reauthorization of such current user fee authorizations: Provided, That the term current user fee authorizations means those user fees authorized at 21 U.S.C. 379h, 21 U.S.C. 379j, 21 U.S.C. 379j–42, 21 U.S.C. 379j–52, 21 U.S.C. 379j–12, 21 U.S.C. 379j–21, 21 U.S.C. 387s, 42 U.S.C. 263b, 21 U.S.C. 381, 21 U.S.C. 360n and 360ff, 21 U.S.C. 379–j31, 21 U.S.C. 379j–62 , 21 U.S.C. 353(e)(3), 21 U.S.C. 360eee–3(c)(1), 21 U.S.C. 384d(c)(8), 21 U.S.C. 360bbb–4a, and 21 U.S.C. 379j–72.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Food and Drug Administration shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report that includes obligation and outlay estimates and full-time equivalent (FTE) personnel staffing estimates for fiscal year 2026 for each Food and Drug Administration program that uses both general fund appropriations and funds derived from user fees: Provided, That such report shall include a table with separate columns for general fund appropriations and funds derived from user fees for such obligations, outlays and FTE personnel staffing: Provided further, That such report shall be certified by the Ombudsman of the Food and Drug Administration.
The report in paragraph (1) shall be updated, certified by the Ombudsman of the Food and Drug Administration, and submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 45 days after each fiscal quarter until all such funds are expended: Provided, That a plan for such ongoing quarterly reporting shall be submitted with the report required by subsection (b)(1).
Sec. 774.
Section 260 of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1636i) is amended by striking “ 2025” and inserting “ 2026”.
Section 942 of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999 (7 U.S.C. 1635 note; Public Law 106–78) is amended by striking “ 2025” and inserting “ 2026”.
Sec. 775.
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used by the Food and Drug Administration to develop, issue, promote, or advance any final guidelines or new regulations applicable to food manufacturers for long-term population-wide sodium reduction actions until an assessment is completed on the impact of the short-term sodium reduction targets.
Sec. 776.
There is hereby appropriated $3,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a new pilot program to support on-the-ground local Energy Circuit Riders who provide professional support to rural communities for the purpose of undertaking projects that save energy and reduce emissions: Provided, That for the purpose of the new pilot program, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Rural Development, shall have the authority to provide amounts, including in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, and other financial assistance, to States, Indian Tribes, cooperative extension services, institutions of higher education, cooperatives and cooperative organizations, regional planning commissions or other public entities serving two or more rural areas: Provided further, That the period of performance under this pilot program shall be more than 3 but not more than 6 years: Provided further, That the Federal share shall not be more than 75 percent: Provided further, That an eligible entity using funds provided under the pilot program shall offer assistance with energy planning, energy audits, applicable Federal funding opportunities, tax incentives, project financing, grant writing, community-based capacity building, or applicable State, local, and utility-based incentives, including, as appropriate, coordinating with relevant State energy offices.
Sec. 777.
For purposes of applying the Federal Food Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), within 30 days of enactment of this Act, the Food and Drug Administration is directed to engage with industry stakeholders to update the acceptable market name for the following fishes: Sebastes alutus, Sebastes borealisn, Sebastes ciliatus, Sebastes crameri, Sebastes entomelas, Sebastes flavidus, Sebastes goodei, Sebastes levis, Sebastes melanops, Sebastes miniatus, Sebastes ovalis, Sebastes paucispinis, Sebastes pinniger, Sebastes proriger, Sebastes reedi, Sebastes ruberrimus, Sebastes rufus, and Sebastes serranoides: Provided, That within 180 days of enactment of this Act, the Food and Drug Administration is directed to provide industry stakeholders with new marketing name proposals and is directed to update its Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance and any other relevant guidance to reflect the new market name once a new marketing name is agreed to expeditiously.
Sec. 778.
For purposes of applying the Federal Food Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), Hawaii grown or produced coffee shall contain at least 51 percent of coffee grown in Kona, Kau, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, or other areas of the State of Hawaii: Provided, That based on the region it is produced or grown, the common or usual names shall be Kona Coffee, Kau Coffee, Maui Coffee, Oahu Coffee, Kauai Coffee, or Hawaii Coffee.
Sec. 779.
None of the funds made available for any department or agency in this or any other appropriations Acts, including prior year Acts, shall be used to close Natural Resources Conservation Service or Rural Development mission area field offices or to permanently relocate any field-based employees of those agencies that would result in an office with two or fewer employees without prior notification and approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
Sec. 780.
No funds appropriated by this Act may be used to administer or enforce the “Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods”, published on November 21, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 70910), or any other rule promulgated in accordance with section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C. 2223), prior to July 20, 2028. Further, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shall:
Engage quarterly with the regulated entities, including farms, restaurants, retail food establishments, and warehouses distributing to retail food establishments and restaurants, to identify and implement, as appropriate, additional flexibilities for satisfying the rule’s lot-level tracking requirement, as appropriate, such that regulated entities can comply with the November 21, 2022, rule consistent with section 204(d)(1)(L)(iii), which prohibits the agency from requiring product tracking to the case level.
Within 180 days of enactment of this Act, the Food and Drug Administration is directed to provide industry stakeholders with recommendations for these additional flexibilities satisfying the rule’s lot-level tracking requirement, as appropriate.
The FDA shall provide assistance to industry regarding how to handle food waste recovery, reclamation, intra-company transfers, customer returns under the rule and initiate a series of hypothetical data intake exercises to test the capabilities of the FDA’s Product Tracing System and, upon request and as resources allow, the covered entity systems and identify any technical difficulties prior to full implementation.
Sec. 781.
Effective 365 days after the enactment of this Act, Section 297A of the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1639o) is amended—
by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as paragraphs (4) through (8), respectively; and
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
“(1) Hemp.—
“(A) In general.—The term ‘hemp’ means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a total tetrahydrocannabinols concentration (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
“(B) Inclusion.—Such term includes industrial hemp.
“(C) Exclusions.—Such term does not include—
“(i) any viable seeds from a Cannabis sativa L. plant that exceeds a total tetrahydrocannabinols concentration (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) of 0.3 percent in the plant on a dry weight basis; or
“(ii) any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing—
“(I) cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant;
“(II) cannabinoids that—
“(aa) are capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant; and
“(bb) were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant; or
“(III) more than 0.3 percent combined total of—
“(aa) total tetrahydrocannabinols (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid); and
“(bb) any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as a tetrahydrocannabinol (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services); or
“(iii) any intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid products which are marketed or sold as a final product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use; or
“(iv) any final hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing—
“(I) cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant;
“(II) cannabinoids that—
“(aa) are capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant; and
“(bb) were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant; or
“(III) greater than 0.4 milligrams combined total per container of—
“(aa) total tetrahydrocannabinols (including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid); and
“(bb) any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals as a tetrahydrocannabinol (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).
“(2) Industrial hemp.—The term ‘industrial hemp’ means hemp—
“(A) grown for the use of the stalk of the plant, fiber produced from such a stalk, or any other non-cannabinoid derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of such a stalk;
“(B) grown for the use of the whole grain, oil, cake, nut, hull, or any other non-cannabinoid compound, derivative, mixture, preparation, or manufacture of the seeds of such plant;
“(C) grown for purposes of producing microgreens or other edible hemp leaf products intended for human consumption that are derived from an immature hemp plant that is grown from seeds that do not exceed the threshold for total tetrahydrocannabinols concentration specified in paragraph (1)(C)(i);
“(D) that is a plant that does not enter the stream of commerce and is intended to support hemp research at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) or an independent research institute; or
“(E) grown for the use of a viable seed of the plant produced solely for the production or manufacture of any material described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
“(3) Hemp-derived cannabinoid product.—
“(A) In general.—The term ‘hemp-derived cannabinoid product’ means any intermediate or final product derived from hemp (other than industrial hemp), that—
“(i) contains cannabinoids in any form; and
“(ii) is intended for human or animal use through any means of application or administration, such as inhalation, ingestion, or topical application.
“(B) The term ‘intermediate hemp-derived cannabinoid product’ means a hemp-derived cannabinoid product which—
“(i) is not yet in the final form or preparation marketed or intended to be used or consumed by a human or animal; or
“(ii) is a powder, liquid, tablet, oil, or other product form which is intended or marketed to be mixed, dissolved, formulated, or otherwise added to or prepared with or into any other substance prior to administration or consumption.
“(C) The term ‘container’ means the innermost wrapping, packaging, or vessel in direct contact with a final hemp-derived cannabinoid product in which the final hemp-derived cannabinoid product is enclosed for retail sale to consumers, such as a jar, bottle, bag, box, packet, can, carton, or cartridge.
“(D) The term container excludes bulk shipping containers or outer wrappings that are not essential for the final retail delivery or sale to an end consumer for personal or household use.
“(E) Exclusion.—Such term does not include a drug that is the subject of an application approved under subsection (c) or (j) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355).”
Within 90 days of the enactment of this act, the Food and Drug Administration, in consultation with other relevant Federal agencies, shall publish—
a list of all cannabinoids known to FDA to be capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, as reflected in peer reviewed literature;
a list of all tetrahydrocannabinol class cannabinoids known to the agency to be naturally occurring in the plant;
a list of all other know cannabinoids with similar effects to, or marketed to have similar effects to, tetrahyrocannabinol class cannabinoids; and
additional information and specificity about the term “container”, as defined in paragraph (3)(C).
Sec. 782.
In addition to amounts otherwise made available, there is hereby appropriated $2,000,000, to remain available until expended, for the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program established pursuant to section 1001(b)(4) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2) to award grants to processors of invasive, wild-caught catfish.
Sec. 783.
During the period beginning on the effective date of the final rule entitled “Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims; Definition of Term ‘Healthy’ ” published in the Federal Register by the Food and Drug Administration on December 27, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 106064 et seq.) and ending on the compliance date specified in such final rule (referred to in this section as the “compliance period”), a manufacturer may also continue to comply with the requirements in effect on the day before such effective date relating to an implied nutrient content claim of “healthy” made with respect to a food.
In the case of a food that bears labeling making an implied nutrition content claim that the food is “healthy” during the compliance period, the manufacturer of the food shall not be directly or indirectly subject to any State law requirement relating to labeling making an implied nutrient content claim that a food is “healthy” during such period that is not identical to either—
the Federal requirements for labeling to make an implied nutrition content claim that a food is “healthy” that were in effect on the day before the effective date of such final rule; or
the updated Federal requirements specified in the final rule for such a claim.
Sec. 784.
Of the unobligated balances available in the Department of the Treasury, Treasury Forfeiture Fund, established by section 9703 of title 31, United States Code, $350,000,000 shall be permanently rescinded not later than September 30, 2026.
Sec. 785.
The Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration shall develop a report to determine the cost and any implications associated with efforts to issue a proposed rule and implement FDA guidance and enforcement for setting standards for pet and animal food labeling and ingredient regulation: Provided, That the report shall—
cover intent for harmonization across state and Federal regulatory bodies for pet and animal food labeling and ingredients;
include timelines for developing guidelines, proposed regulations, resource and personnel needs to implement such standards, and where FDA would need additional authority to implement any proposed changes; and
be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 786.
Any remaining unobligated balances from amounts made available by section 743 of division A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115–31) may be used, in addition to any funds otherwise made available for such purposes, for plans, construction, repair, preventive maintenance, environmental support, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities, as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2250, and acquisition of land as authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2268a.
Sec. 787.
For fiscal year 2026, the maximum monthly allowances of fluid milk for the following food packages described in section 246.10(e) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, are:
For Food Package IV, 16 quarts.
For Food Package V, 22 quarts.
For Food Package VI, 16 quarts.
For Food Package VII, 24 quarts.
For Food Package III, the maximum monthly allowances of fluid milk should conform to the changes made to food packages IV, V, VI, and VII in this section.
Sec. 788.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall—
conduct a study to determine the feasibility of applying the Buy American requirement (as described in section 201.21(d) of title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (2022)) to the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, and the special supplemental nutrition program as authorized by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), including the impact applying such requirement would have on the agricultural economy of the United States; and
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit the results of such study to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, the House Agriculture Committee, and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.
Sec. 789.
The Secretary shall prepare a report by account that details the status of all projects specified in the table titled “Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending” in the explanatory statements accompanying prior year Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Acts, as described in section 4 in the matter preceding division A of such Acts: Provided, That such report shall include a breakout showing the subset of projects for which funds have not yet been obligated, or for which funds have been deobligated, an explanation for each such project’s obligation status, the fiscal year in which funds were originally made available for such project, and the period of availability of such funds.
The Secretary shall submit the report described in subsection (a) to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate on whichever of the following first occurs—
concurrent with the department’s budget request for fiscal year 2027.
February 15, 2026.
Sec. 790.
The Secretary of Agriculture shall provide written notification to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no fewer than 3 business days in advance of termination of any grant, cooperative agreement, or contract award totaling $1,000,000 or more issued from funds made available in this Act or any previous Act: Provided, That such notification shall include the recipient of the award, the amount of the award, the fiscal year for which the funds for the award were appropriated, the account and program, project, or activity from which the funds are being drawn, the title of the award, and a detailed justification for the termination.